Microsoft Reorganises Entertainment & Devices Unit

Microsoft Corp confirmed on Friday that it has made some massive structural changes to the organisation’s Entertainment and Devices (E&D) unit, the division of the software maker responsible for Windows Mobile, Zune, Mediaroom IPTV and Media Centre products.

The company has shaken up the E&D unit following the departure of the division’s senior executive, by bringing its various products and technologies under the aegis of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB), a division exclusive for its gaming venture Xbox.

Incidentally, Corporate VP Enrique Rodriguez, who had been in-charge of the reshuffled E&D unit, has left the company to pursue his own interests. The company’s Senior VP Don Mattrick will now be the new chief of the IEB.

Microsoft’s spokesperson informed about Rodriguez exit via an emailed statement to Internetnews.com. The email quoted: “Enrique Rodriguez has decided to move on from his leadership position running the TV, video and music business, and he is evaluating his next opportunity”.

However, it was just around a year back that the company altered the structure of E&D, dividing the Zune team into two separate divisions.

The software and services division of Zune was moved under Rodriguez, while the Corporate VP of Mobile Device Strategy and Commercialisation was made in-charge of the hardware arm.

Our Comments

The structural shake-up has indeed brought up questions about the future of perhaps the company’s highest-priority product, Windows Mobile. Nevertheless, a commenter on Microsoft-following blog Mini-Microsoft has said that Windows Mobile is “destined” to be a part of the company’s Steven Sinofsky-led Windows business, which includes Windows and Windows Live.